Which framework is often used in Environmental Management Systems for continuous improvement?

The framework associated with Environmental Management Systems for continuous improvement is "Plan > Do > Check > Act," commonly referred to as the PDCA cycle. This model encourages an iterative process where organizations can systematically improve their management processes over time.

In the PDCA cycle, the "Plan" phase involves identifying an opportunity and planning for change, which sets the stage for action. The "Do" phase consists of implementing the planned changes on a small scale to test their effectiveness. Following this, the "Check" phase is where the organization assesses the results of the changes against the intended objectives to see if the desired improvements were achieved. Finally, in the "Act" phase, organizations take action based on what they learned in the previous steps. Successful changes are standardized, or if the results were not as expected, the organization can revise and re-plan.

This systematic approach promotes ongoing improvement by encouraging regular evaluation, adjustment, and refining processes, ensuring that environmental management efforts are effective and can adapt to changing conditions or new regulatory requirements. It embraces the principle of continuous improvement, which is a fundamental aspect of effective management practices in any system, especially within environmental management contexts.